In recent seasons, Newcastle United have had their fair share of players called up to the England national squad.
It has been a breath of fresh air for Newcastle United fans who had gotten used to their players being snubbed from Three Lions squads.
However, things are much different now thanks to Toon boss Eddie Howe who has played a huge part in making Newcastle a team that is known for players who play for their country.
Callum Wilson was part of the 2022 World Cup squad alongside Nick Pope. In March 2024, Anthony Gordon received his first England call-up under Gareth Southgate.
Gordon would score his first England goal in November against Ireland which was assisted by Newcastle teammate Tino Livramento.
Left-back Lewis Hall made his England debut in November against Greece and got his first start against Ireland a few days later.
With Thomas Tuchel soon to announce his first England squad since becoming manager, one Newcastle man revealed a phone call he had with the boss.
England manager Thomas Tuchel called Nick Pope
Pope has been capped 10 times for England since making his debut in 2018.
Despite being called up to the squad for UEFA Nations League games in September and October, Pope failed to make an appearance and was not picked alongside his Newcastle teammates for the November games.
Pope, who signed for £10m in 2022, spent six weeks out with a knee injury but returned to Newcastle’s first-team squad for the win against Southampton.
Newcastle take on Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday but there is no guarantee that Pope will start ahead of Martin Dubravka.
In a video on Newcastle’s YouTube channel, Pope was asked who the most famous contact on his phone was. He confirmed it was in fact the England boss.
He said: “I’ve not told anyone else this, but Thomas Tuchel rang me the other day. He’s pretty famous.”
Pope did not expand on why Tuchel gave him a call, but it can surely only be to discuss his chances of playing for England in March.
Tuchel will likely announce his first England squad on March 13.
What Eddie Howe said about Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka
Dubravka has been excellent in Pope’s absence – it gives Howe a tough choice on who to start against Fulham on Saturday.
In his pre-match press conference, Howe was asked whether Newcastle fans should expect to see Pope back in the starting XI on Saturday.
“I understand the intrigue into getting me to name a number one,” he said.
“I have said this before, even when Nick was playing regularly in goal these things are there to be changed by the performance of the players.
“You never want to say that’s the player who plays in that position all the time. You want them to be challenged and asked questions by all the players around them.
“We’ve got healthy competition in there, healthy competition in our backline. Hopefully, that will serve us well.”
So far this season, Pope has kept three clean sheets in 15 games, conceding 21 goals. Dubravka on the other hand has kept five clean sheets and conceded just six goals in eight games.
If results go their way, Newcastle could end the game week third in the Premier League.
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